Angono Rizal, Philippines, hosts major Holy Week processions

On the far west areas of the metropolitan Manila area, the city of Angono Rizal is regionally most famous for its festival of higantes, giant papier-mâché costumes paraded around the city each November at the feast of Saint Clement, patron of the city.

In Holy Week the city also celebrates a number of special traditions. At Palm Sunday’s procession, recreating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, parishioners not only wave palms, but also spread latag banig, mats and cloths, along the street for the procession to walk over.   

On Holy Monday a long procession of statues winds its way through the streets in Angono. After a big afternoon Mass at St. Clement’s Parish Church, more than 40 life size statues —  Jesus carrying the Cross, a mournful Mama Mary and other persons related to Jesus’ Passion — are processed on decorative carriages through the streets of town. The largest carriages include multi-figured scenes like the Last Supper. In 2015, when this procession was recorded, the procession commenced near sunset and wound its way through the crowded streets until almost 9 p.m.

Along the procession route, people lined the streets. The fronts of most houses were lit with candles to signify their both devotion to Jesus and Mary and participation in the event. Non-Catholic households do not light candles in front of their houses.  

A similar procession takes place on Good Friday. Catholic Churches in Meycauayan, Bulacan and in Sta. Rita, Pampanga celebrate similar feasts.

Holy Monday procession from St. Clement's Church, Angono Rizal.